Court doc: 'I'm Italian and angry!' man said while attempting to 'stomp' on newborn

by KATU News

Benjamin Courtney mug shot from 2016 courtesy Washington County Jail

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Vancouver parents say a man tried to “stomp” on their newborn child in Esther Short Park on Saturday, Vancouver police said in a probable cause affidavit.

The court document says the baby’s parents flagged down an officer around 9:50 p.m. and said a shirtless man in the park tried to stomp on their baby.

Police later identified the suspect as Benjamin R. Courtney, 39, of Vancouver.

The parents told police Courtney was screaming loudly and walking toward them as they sat on a bench at the park, the document says.

They said their baby was in a car seat at their feet when Courtney walked past him. They said Courtney “lifted his leg high and attempted to drive his foot into the car seat,” according to the affidavit.

The mother said she moved the car seat out of the way and asked the baby’s father to call 911.

The document says Courtney was yelling, “I’m Italian and angry!” It says he then left the area.

Police officers found Courtney and said he appeared to be under the influence of intoxicants, the affidavit says. Police also said he was yelling that he was Italian and “strong.”

Officers put Courtney in handcuffs and he admitted he lifted his leg and stomped on the ground “near” the infant, the court document says.

When asked why he tried to stomp on the baby, Courtney replied, “When we’re high powered we don’t stop,” the document says.